A 31-year-old.Kwara State-based Islamic Cleric, Abdulrahman Bello on Thursday, sentenced to death by hanging for culpable homicideover the murder of his Facebook lover, Hafsoh Yetunde Lawal in the State.
Justice Justice Hannah Ajayi of the Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin handed down the verdict in the trial case involving 24-year-old final-year student of Kwara State College of Education, Ilorin.
The self-confessed convict, Lawal, had told the court to killing his Facebook lover for money rituals at the commencement of the trial in the murder case.
The convict was charged with possession of human parts and blood, he received 10 years imprisonment with an option of N100,000 fine or six months additional jail term, but he was acquitted of rape.
The jury said described the act as the “highest degree of human wickedness” and a clear case of premeditated ritual killing motivated by a desire for wealth.
The court delcared that killer lured the victim to his residence at Olunlade area in Ilorin on February 10, 2025, killed her, and dismembered her body.
Daily Trust reports that in a dramatic twist, four co-defendants – Ahmed Abdulwasiu, Suleiman Muhydeen, Jamiu Uthman, and Abdulrahman Jamiu- were discharged and acquitted of all five charges. The judge ruled that there was no evidence linking them to the crime.
Justice Ajayi dismissed Bello’s claims of a romantic relationship and intention to marry Hafsat as “concocted lies” meant to deceive the court.
The court accepted the video and written confessions recorded by both the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police.
The judge said they were in line with legal provisions, with no signs of torture or forced confession.
Justice Ajayi, revealed that a book on money-making charms found at Bello’s residence further supported the prosecution’s case, reinforcing the court’s belief in his ritualistic motives.
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